How to obtain a residence permit in Turkey in 2024

With Turkey becoming a more popular destination for expats, there have been some significant changes to the process of getting a residence permit.

This article will serve as a comprehensive guide for you, outlining the latest procedures and e-Ikamet application requirements to make Turkey your new home successfully.

Table of contents

• Turkish Residence Permit: New Rules
• Turkish Residence Permit Types
• General Residence Permit (“Ikamet”) Application Rules
• How to Apply for Ikamet Online?
• Documents Required for Residence Permit in Turkey
• Ikamet Photo Requirements
• Get a Turkish Residence Permit Photo Online!
• Take a Turkish Residence Permit Photo With a Phone!
• Turkish Residence Permit Renewal Requirements
• Ikamet Waiting Times
• How to Check Your Ikamet Status

Turkish Residence Permit: New Rules

In 2023, Turkey made some significant changes to the way it processes residence permits. For example, it placed more restrictions on where one can get one.

New geographic restrictions for residence permits. They designated 1169 areas as “closed” areas, which means they can't issue permits there anymore. This is because too many foreigners live there — more than 20% of the local population. Some closed areas are in big cities like Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, and Mersin. If you already have a permit there or renewed it before the new rules started, it's still valid.

Revised investment threshold for real estate. The minimum investment amount required to get Turkish citizenship through the Golden Visa program has been increased to $400K for both residential and commercial real estate. In addition, foreigners can obtain residency by investing $50K in less developed areas or $75K in major cities.

Tourist residence permit validity and extensions. The validity period for a tourist residence permit has been reduced from one year to six months. The Migration Service also requires a tourist plan and an apostilled income certificate. Extension rules for tourist visas based on tourism have tightened, and the immigration service may require additional documents, such as travel itinerary and an apostilled income certificate.

Turkish Residence Permit Types

Turkey offers a variety of residence permit options to meet different needs, including:

• Family residence permit. Ideal for individuals who wish to reunite with family members living in Turkey.
• Student residence permit. They are designed specifically for foreign nationals enrolled in educational programs at Turkish institutions.
• Short-term residence permit. This permit covers a variety of short-term needs such as tourism, business ventures, medical treatment, participation in student exchange programs, enrollment in Turkish language courses, or real estate investment.
• Long-term residence permit. Available to those who have lived in Turkey continuously for eight years.
• Work permit. For foreign nationals who are employed in Turkey.
• Citizenship by Investment Program: This program offers a path to Turkish citizenship for those who invest $400,000 in the Turkish real estate market.

General Residence Permit (“Ikamet”) Application Rules

To obtain a Residence Permit in Turkey, you must make sure that you meet specific requirements:

• Age: You must be 18 years or older.
• Money: You should have enough money to support yourself while you're in Turkey.
• Reason to stay: You must have a good reason for staying in Turkey. This could be for travel, study, work or to be close to family.
• Paperwork: You'll need essential documents such as a valid passport, an officially approved rental agreement, passport-sized photos of yourself, and health insurance.
• Follow the rules: You must obey all Turkish laws and regulations while you're there.
• Safety: You can't be considered a threat to anyone's safety or public order.
• Timing: Ensure you apply for your residence permit while your visa is still valid. If your visa has expired for more than 10 days, you can't submit your application.

How to Apply for Ikamet Online?

To get a Turkish residence permit online, just follow these simple steps:

1. Start by creating an account on the e-İkamet website. You'll be asked for some basic information, such as your personal, family, and contact data;
2. Fill out the Ikamet online application form and upload all the required documents;
3. Pay the application fee using the payment gateway on the website;
4. Visit your local migration office to complete the application process. You must bring all the original documents, including your passport and rental agreement or property deed;
5. Wait for approval. The processing time may differ, but it generally takes about 90 days. You can monitor your application's status online via the migration office's website;
6. Receive your permit. If approved, you will get your Ikamet by mail.

Documents Required for Residence Permit in Turkey

For a successful application, be prepared to submit the following Ikamet application documents:

• Printed application form from e-İkamet website when applying in person;
• A valid passport copy;
• A certified rental agreement;
• Ikamet biometric photo four-pack;
• A copy of the landlord's passport;
• Proof of property ownership;
• Valid health insurance;
• Evidence of sufficient and sustainable financial resources. You must have at least €500 in your bank account for each month of your stay in Turkey or proof of a consistent monthly income;
• UETS form confirming your address;
• Additional documents may be required depending on the type of residence permit being applied for.

Please note that starting on April 15, 2024, when you apply to renew your residence permit, the Migration Management Office will request the UETS form, which can be obtained from PTT branches. To register, you must provide documents such as a rental contract or subscription agreement and a utility bill with your name.

You must submit all the documentation in their original form, and any documents obtained from abroad must be translated into Turkish and notarized.

Ikamet Photo Requirements

To ensure that your application for a Turkish Residence Permit (Ikamet) is complete, your photo must meet certain guidelines:

• The photo must be recent, taken at most 120 days before the application.
• The Turkish residence permit photo size should be 5×6 cm, identical to those required for a Turkish passport.
• For online applications, the maximum file size of the Ikamet photo should not exceed 300 KB. Only JPEG format is accepted.
• Your face should measure 34 mm and be centered within the frame.
• The background must be plain white.
• Make sure your face is fully visible, with no blurring or imperfections.
• Generally, headwear should be removed, except if it's part of your religious attire.
• The photo should be printed on matte paper. Glossy finishes are not accepted.
• Keep a neutral face, no smiling, frowning, or squinting.
• Minimize the use of flashy accessories and bright makeup for a more professional appearance.

Here is an example:

Get a Turkish Residence Permit Photo Online!

Do you need a professional Turkish residence permit photo fast? Look no further than Visafoto.com! This easy-to-use platform boasts an impressive 99.7% success rate.

Simply use your smartphone or digital camera to snap a photo against a white background, then upload it to Visafoto.com. We'll do the fine-tuning, adjust your photo to fit the Ikamet photo size, format, and background, and ensure your face is perfectly positioned. We will offer a full refund if the results don't meet your expectations.

First take a photo of yours which will look like this one:

Visafoto.com provides two versions of your photo: a digital copy for online submission and a template for printing.

Take a Turkish Residence Permit Photo With a Phone!

Introducing the 7ID app by Visafoto.com, the ultimate solution for creating ID, passport, and visa photos directly from your smartphone, whether you're an iPhone or Android user.

Simply upload your photo to the app, specify the document and country, and let 7ID do the rest. It will resize, reformat, change the background color, and ensure your face and eyes are correctly aligned to meet official photo standards.

7ID prepares your photo for printing on standard paper sizes such as 10x15 cm, A4, A5, or B5, so you can print it instantly for any purpose.

For those who want even more precision, Expert Mode offers extensive customization options, even for challenging backgrounds. And if you need help, our 24/7 technical support team is always available.

Turkish Residence Permit Renewal Requirements

Remember that you must start the renewal process about 60 days before your Turkish residence permit expires. This involves submitting updated documents and paying another fee.

If it's already expired, you must leave Turkey and get a new one. But if you can't do that, you can still apply for a new one within 10 days of it expiring, but you'll need to explain why you missed the deadline in a letter to the immigration office.

Ikamet Waiting Times

How long does it take to get a Turkish residence permit? According to official news, it can take up to 3 months for the government to process your residency application after you submit all the necessary documents. You'll be notified when your application is ready.

How to Check Your Ikamet Status

To check the status of your Ikamet application, you can use the e-Ikamet portal managed by the General Directorate of Migration Management. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the e-İkamet website.
2. Click on the option "I would like to see my application result".
3. Enter your application number, mobile phone number, or email address, and passport number.
4. Enter the verification code on the page's bottom left and click the Login button.
5. Your residency status will be displayed, along with the validity period of your permit.
6. If your application is missing any documents, this platform will also let you know what's missing and where to submit it.
7. Use your PTT barcode number to track the delivery status of your permit.

If you have issues with checking your Ikamet status, you are advised to contact 157 — Foreigners Communication Center for additional information and help.